Movable cassette for spot film devices



Nov. 9, 1943. o. c. HOLLSTEIN MOVABLE CASSETTE FOR SPOT FILM DEVICES Filed Oct. 14,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 0. #01: STE/IV W Amh z ATTORNEY Nov. 9, 1943. o. c. HOLLSTEIN 2,333,720

MOVABLE CASSETTE FOR SPOT FILM DEVICES Filed Oct. 14, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheep 2 INVENTOR QCHOLLJ'TH/V ATTORNEY above noted requirement Pennsylvania I The-present, invention relates-to X-ray app ratus and more particularly to' what is known' in the art as'a spot film device;

' .Osiwaldl Iol ls teiml-Baltimore. assi Westinghouse Electric; & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh,

Application oct'oher14,1942;Serial 316461357 Apparatus "of thfs'-kind-- '5 known to; shears V and is employed by the roentg'enologist" in: the

making of a diagnostic examination both by fiuoroscopy 'and radiography; In other words, it frequently happens 1 was during} the" making of a fluoroscopic examination the diagnosticia'n' will observesome phenomenon of which" new: siresa more permanent record 'ro rurmer-aetail study. This can be ;readily*accmplished in a spot film device since a cassetteffcontaining' a photographic film or plate is very'rapi'dhr mov able into position adjacenttl'ie'fi iorescent screen andexposed'tothe sarne imageohs'ervedWov the diagnostician on the"fluorescent is'c'reen. 1

Consequently, apparatus-"off this-"type ust meet certain requirements. For example; "the cassette must he movable' v'ery quickly with 'as little expenditure *of effort as possible and 'corhe to "restfin the appmpriate position adjacent the fluorescent screen with little or no vibration or shock. Heretofore; various drivingerrange ments for moving the cassette have been s'uc cessfullyemployed, but the apparatuswasoi such small dimensions, the cassetteqhe'irig var apprenmately hy- 7 inches, that was encountered. When 1 larger filr'ns are desired; which isnow the trend of all diagnosticians-,tli

s are or to Pa., a corporation 7 of by "reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; I 1 1 l-is a vertical view of an X-ray spot film device constructed in accordance with the pres-' entinvention;

2 is a sectional view taken on the line II-"IIofFig. 1; l Fig. 8 is an end view of the device .on the Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on thej'line IV-IV of Fig. 1; i

1g; 5 is a schematic drawingof the X-ray spot film device of the present inventiontand showing the same in positionfor the making of a:

fluoroscopic examination; V r l Fig'; G is a'vie'w similar to Fig.5 but showing the spot filni device in the radiographic positiomand I j Fig. '7-is a cross-sectional fragmentary view which a part'of the apparatus may take. Referring now to the""drawings in detail, the

device asshownin Figfil comprises'a hollow much more dir i It" is accordingly tlie prnnary object of-the t present invention to'pro'vide' an X-ray-apparatus wherein i the diagnostician during; the making of a fluoroscopic examination can very framework; 4 having an X-ray pervious portion aswell as an impervious portion and provided withchannel guides5, so that the device slide ably engages the customary support (notshown): -forming'a part of theusual X-ray examination table or'vertical fluoroscope and is moved as desiredbylhandles 6. 1 A'fluorescent screen "I is supportedin 'a suite able manner, such as by angle members '8, slightly to one side of the center of the hollow framework 5 and-constituting the X-ray' per-" viousportion of the device. During the making of a"fluoroscopic examination when the'image appears on the fluorescent screen; a cassette 9 readily make a radiographic exposure ofrela tive'ly large siteloy movement of a cassette into the field of examination v with great rapidity and ease of operation? 1 Another object of the present invention is the provision" of anrX-rayspot film"device' 'whe'reir'i' a radiographic film 3 within a cassette is rapidly moved into the examination fieldby Ia simple and'efiicient driving mechanism." I

A'furthe'r objectof thepresent irivention' is the provisionof: an X ray spot filni device where'-' in a film holding cassette-is movedf into' 'the examination field adjacent the fluorescent screen by a simple link mechanism operated by'a spring drive; and requiring" the expenditure ofvery little energy by the drivedespite relatively long tra eler th cassettew a a I Still further objects of the present-.T'inventiori will: become I obvioustothoseskilledin the "art j impervious portion of the device.

- cordingly maintaining the cassette insubstantiaHyflxed guide-ways and preventing holding a r'adiographic plate or film l0 isdisposed interiorly of'the hollow frameworki on the opposite side of the center of" the latter from thatof thejfluorescent screen I in the X-ray' This cassette 9 is supported within a rectangular carriage I2 (see Figs. 5 and 6), which isprovided at its four corners. with suitable rollers [3 bearing against the end wallof the. hollow framework 5 and anlangle iron [4, thus forming a'guide-way as best illustrated in Fig. 3. Additional mnersils are also rotatably' affixed to the cassette miriage'which. are disposed at to the rollers 13 so-that-theformer ride against the underside of thehollow framework 5, both sets of rollers acicarriage l2 lateral Lmovement of :the cassette'S, ,the latter slightly .off dead center to unlatch the carriage --I2 'by-a spring-pressed push button I9 recessed in a projection 20 on the front of the device. If, during the making '1 a fluoroscopic examination, the roentgenologist observes some phenomenon of which he desires'to make a record for further detailed study, it is necessary that the cassette carriage 12 carrying the cassette 9 and film I0 be-movedfinto 'the field of examination, which is adjacent "the "fluores cent screen between the latter and the body of the patient, as rapidly as possible and without shock or vibration.

To accomplish this, the cassette carriagedi is connected to .a toggle-arrangement comprising,

a pair of pivoted link members 22 and ;23 ;con-- nected together at one of their respectiveends while the remaining end of the link 22 -ispivotally connected to a projection 24 forming-a part,

of the cassette carriagev [land the otherend of the link 23 being pivotally connectedto a jug 25 formed on the interior of :the hollow'framework 4. In the fluoroscopic position of the spot film device the cassette carriage i2 is .thus cocked with the toggleiinks in anextendedposition, asshown in Figsll and 5, placing-the pivotal connection-between the links Hand-23 fromtheir pivotal: .con-. nections 24 and 25. '0, -':For the purpose of collapsing; the toggle arrangement and causingmovement of the cassette carriage l2 upon depression of the. release button H), a. coil spring 26 is connectedto a point 21 on the toggle link 23:and adjustablyiconnectedtoia lug 28 dependingfrom the underside of the hollow framework 4. Due to. thepositioning of this springzfi'thesratio of expansion ito;.rnove.-

' ment of the cassette carriage isexceedinglyhigh since very little; expansion and stored potential energy is required-to move the cassette carriage, theentire length of itstravel which may :be as much-as 18 inches or more; Moreover, thepas sette carriage l2 will move longitudinally of-the I framework 4 along the gu.ide--way -Hlv with=great rapidity andpractically no vibration upon olepression of 'theypush button ,HJ; and release-of the jlatchfll, owingto th leverage exerted by the toggle arrangement in transferring thestore d energy from the spring 26 to movement of the cassette carriage l2. r v

=,To prevent shock and oscillations when lthe cassette carriage l2 finally comes to rest in the radiographic position, as shown in Fig. 6, a,shock absorber 29 in theform of a softrubber cushion provided with arecess' 39 therein issupported by a bracket 3 landis, engaged by a taper-headed plunger 32' projecting from the cassette "carriage l2. 7 This positions the cassette"carriageftogether withthe cassette 9 andfilm lil in 'thefield of -ekaminati'on beneath the fluorescent 'screenfienabling the taking of a radiographicexposure. Moreover, since theenergy supplied toth'e-X- ray tube mustusually be higher' 'thanduring the making of a fluoroscopic examination, a i switch 33 'is provided which may-operateto cuti'aiiresistance'in and outer the oircuit'io'r th'e lprtmary winding of the energizing 'transiormerifi shown in Figs. 1 and 2,' thelihk member "23 is provided with a pin: 34 engaging: the .switch :33

2,333,720 i I s V ljcrockedil Q "through a to close the latter when the cassette carriage is in the impervious portion of the frame 4, thus conditioning the X-ray tube (not shown) for fluoroscopic purposes, and when the casstte carriage is moved to the radiographic position by collapse of the toggle arrangement, the link moves so that the pin 34 'disengages the switch 33;thus openin'gthe latter causing the X-ray tube to automatically receive somewhat higher 3 energizing currrent suitable for radiographic Purposes. a

the.-'c:a1.ssiette andtexposed plate or film, to its curedto 'the'cassette carriage l2, as shown more =clearly in Figs; l and2, which thus slides the carri-age along its guide-way, again ,tensioning' the. 1 springZWuntil the catch l1 engages the tapered lug lg tohold the carriage in the fill or so opic position of the-device.v

In Fig.7 a slight,modificatioui of nesting drivesands check portion offthe apparatus-is shown" whereinv the spring 25; surrounds an oil; or' air check comprising a; cylinder 31 having extendingv 'shaiit 38 pivotally connected to. thelug 28, andoneendoff-the spring 26 may beag ain connected to the iu za or to trieis artssg'ag shown= in,-Fig. 7. arpistontllhaving. airod 40 telescopically engages the cylinder 31 with the,

free end ofr the piston rod lll-being; pivotallyse,

1 "on the toggle iinkia; T not but since very little(springmotionkisrequired to move the cassette itiollows, that the Ia'ir brgiil check piston 39 necessarily travels only .a shor't distancedespite the iacttha't the cassette travel may be 18- inches or more.

' duces the overall lengthsof the spottfilmtdevice;

forif an airor oil checkwere used which yvas connecteddirectly to thelcas'sette, the travel of the check piston would necessarily have tofbe substantially equal to the cassette travel, this requiring? enlargementiof the apparatus Itthus'becomes obvious to-thosefskilled in the 1 art theta spot filmdevice :is herein provided' -by' w h-the roent en i t canma e lf u cp examination, and during the: making of. such-examination he can readil -takearadiographicpic ture by simply depressin a button; thu -auto;

matically moving a sensitized plate s a rapidly I and without vibration into thefield r amination. Moreover, by theprovisiorr-oi a co lapsible toggle arrangement substantially atwright angles to the direction or;

ov m n of h t e arr a e.- and h 5119 i mal cocked position of the toggle-links,

tions 'of'thepresent invention may be made withe out departing vvfrom the; spirit i andascopergof the appendedclairns.

having angX-rayperviousportion andanimper viou portion, a fluorescent-screen disposed in i said'X-ray :pe vious i ion ormaking: fl or 1 scopicz.examinations,:-acassettecarriagesuppqrt q {Upon completion of the exposure, the roentgenologist returns the cassette carriage, together position by a knob 35 projecting; slot 36 in the framework 4 and sewhereinjth e driving f: Qrce for moving the-cassette carriageis Appli d ine' i Spring.

been? s d ends,

in ifi ing a cassette provided with a sensitized film therein normally positioned at the X-ray impervious portion of said frame, and means for moving said cassette carriage into the field of eX- amination at the will of an operator to make a radiographic exposure on said film including a collapsible toggle arrangement connected to said 7 cassette carriage and a tensioned member operamovable longitudinally of said frame and normally latched under tension at the X-ray impervious portion of said frame, and means for causing movement of said cassette carriage at the will of an operator to position the film in the field of examination for a radiographic exposure including a collapsible toggle arrangement connected to said cassette carriage and potential energy storage means connected to said toggle arrangement and operable to cause collapse of the latter upon unlatching of said cassette carriage while in its position at the impervious portion of said frame.

3. An X-rav snot film device comprising a frame having an X-ray pervious portion and an impervious portion, a fluorescent screen disposed in said -X-ray pervious portion for making fluoroscopic examinations, a guide-way on said frame. a cassette carriage supporting a cassette provided. with a sensitized film therein adapted to move longitudinally of said frame along said guideway and normally latched under tension at the X-ray impervious portion of said frame, and means for causing movement of said cassette carriage along said guide-way at the will of an operator to position the film in the field of examination for a radiographic exposure including a collapsible toggle arrangement connected to said cassette carriage and a tensioned member connected to said toggle arrangement and operable to cause collapse of the latter upon unlatching of said cassette carriage while in its position at the impervious portion of said frame. I

4. An X-ray spot film device comprising a frame having an X-ray pervious portion and an impervious portion, a fluorescent screen disposed in said X-ray pervious portion for making fluoroscopic examinations, a guide-way on said frame, a cassette carriage supporting a cassette provided with a sensitized film therein adapted to move longitudinally of said frame along said guide-way and normally latched under tension at the X-ray impervious portion of said frame and mean for causing movement of said cassette carriage along said guide-way at the will of an operator to position the film in the field of examination for a radiographic exposure including a collapsible toggle arrangement connected to said cassette carriage and a coil spring connected to said toggle arrangement and operable to cause collapse of the latter upon unlatching of said cassette carriage while in its position at the impervious portion of said frame.

5. An X-ray spot film device comprising a frame having an X-ray pervious portion and an impervious portion, a fluorescent screen disposed in said X-ray pervious portion for making fiuoroscopic examinations, a cassette carriage supporting a cassette provided with a sensitized film therein movable longitudinally of said frame and normally latched under tension at the X-ray impervious portion of said frame, and means for causing movement of said cassette carriage at the will of an operator to position the film in the field of examination for a radiographic exposure including a collapsible toggle arrangement connected to said cassette carriage and a coil spring connected. to said toggle arrangement and disposed substantially normal to the direction of movement of said carriage to confine expansion thereof to narrow limits and operable to cause collapse of said toggle arrangement with movement of said cassette carriage the length of its travel upon unlatching of said cassette carriage while in its position at the impervious portion of said frame.

6. An X-ray spot film device comprising a frame having an X-ray pervious portion and an impervious portion, a fluorescent screen disposedin said vX-ray pervious portion for making fluoroscopic examinations, a cassette carriage supporting a cassette provided with ,a sensitized film therein movable longitudinally of said frame and normally latched under tension at the X-ray impervious portion of said frame, a pair of pivoted toggle links interconnecting said cassette carriage and said frame and disposed slightly less than degrees with respect to each other in the latched position'of' said cassette carriage, and a coil spring connected to one of said toggle links at substantially right angles thereto to cause collapse of said toggle links and attendant movement of said cassette carriage at the will of an operator into the field of examination adjacent said fiuorescent screen for a radiographic exposure upon unlatching of said cassette carriage.

OSWALD o. noms'rnm. 

